Chapter 59
The unstoppable forces of the three alliances swoop through the forces of the four churches. Despite having the home advantage, the forces of the four churches could only fall to the overwhelming number of the three alliances forces.
Realizing that spreading their forces thin was to their disadvantage; the leaders of the four churches ordered their soldiers to retreat to their biggest and most fortified fortress, Fort Anglest and abandoned the other fortresses.
With how the leadership of the four churches had reacted to the defeat they’ve suffered so far, one could see that the forces of the four churches stood no chance of victory. Still, countless devote believers stood their ground and refuses to abandon their religion despite the threat of death.
The believers’ devotion to their religion is without a doubt worthy of respect if not for the fact that they’re wasting their lives by following a misguided religion. And the fact that the leaders of the four churches refuse to surrender to save the lives of their believers showed that the churches only cared for themselves.
Realizing this fact, the populace’s and volunteers soldiers’ hatred for the four churches religion grew. If some of the commoners and soldiers have qualms about the war, the four churches brazen disregard for their believers’ lives erases all of that. Now everyone just wanted to see the religion of the four traitor gods eradicated from the continent for good.
Overwhelmed and woefully undermanned, the forces of the churches stood no chance of winning the war. Despite the church leaders’ beast efforts their soldiers’ morale are in an all-time low. And from the looks of things it’s only a matter of time before the Fortress Anglest falls. And when that happened, the holy cities would have to face the hatred of the three armies – many of which were the four churches’ former believers.
But when everyone thought that the end of the church was near, something unexpected happened. Mysterious forces suddenly appeared to aid the forces of the four churches that were about to collapse. This mysterious force came out of nowhere and causes havoc to the woefully defended rear of the three alliances armies – destroying vital supplies while killing countless unprepared soldiers.
Facing such huge loses; the attacking armies could only stop their siege of the fort to face the infidels that dared to attack them without warning. Unfortunately, once the main army arrived at the scene, the mysterious forces was long gone but not before leaving behind the corpses of their fallen comrade along with what remained of their destroyed provisions.
Although greatly enraged the three alliances could only swallow their anger as they investigated the identity of the mysterious forces that ambushed their rear. But despite their best efforts the identity of the attackers remained a mystery.
After tabulating their loses, it was found that the Order of the Magus didn’t suffer much, at least in comparison to the other two alliances. This was mainly due to the fact that Sorceress Cassandra had warned the commander of their army of a mysterious force that was creeping in the shadows. Thankfully the commander acted quickly and strengthened their rear – protecting the army’s vital supplies and greatly reducing their casualties.
Still, like the other two armies, they too failed in discovering the identity of their mysterious attackers. Although they killed many of them, not a single body of the attackers’ troops was left behind as the dead bodies of the attackers would mysteriously burst into eerie green flames, consuming the dead attackers’ bodies – leaving only ashes behind. Even with the sorceress’ help, the result of their investigation turned up empty. It was so eerie that their soldiers begin to fear their mysterious attackers.
Nonetheless, the three armies could only regroup and replace the supplies and soldiers that they’ve lost in the sudden ambush. And having learned their lessons, the commanders no longer leaves their rear woefully unguarded. That said they’re not as protected as that of the Order of the Magus. That’s because unlike the Order, the two alliances did not have someone like the sorceress. With the sorceress presence, any attempt to ambush the army of the Order was doomed to fail.
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The fact that the alliances had suffered an unexpected ambush to their rear did not escape the notice of the four churches. Hearing that they suffered great damage to manpower and supplies, the commanders and officials of the churches (not the popes) gloated at the misfortune of their enemies. They feasted, laugh and drink to celebrate they claimed to be divine retribution from their gods – acting as if they were the ones who gave the alliances’ armies such massive blow, and completely forgetting that the war had just started. Not to mention that the overwhelming difference in their forces was is still present.
Upon hearing that the commanders and officials of the churches’ army were acting like fools in a victory they did not earn, greatly angered and disappointed the four popes who were currently trying to communicate with the four gods.
Despite the fact that the churches have lost countless battles before this and were still on the losing end, the greedy and foolish leaders of their religion still have the gall to celebrate and get drunk. If their devote believers heard of their leaders’ actions, they might just lose hope and give up on the churches. Knowing full well the consequence of losing countless believers, the four popes decided to end their isolation early and ordered the arrests of the foolish commanders and officials.
Inside a large, well-furnished conference room, the four popes; Pope Alvan III of the church of Krant, Pope Arnold II of the church of Lueger, Pope Alexander VI of the church of Surl, and Pope Reynolds I of the church of Terhan gathered. All four of them have a solemn expression on their faces.
“Do any of you know who attacked the forces of the three alliances?” Pope Reynolds I asked breaking the silence that suffused the room.
The other three popes shook their head, indicating that they don’t know the answer to the Pope Reynolds I’s question. Just like the pope of the church of Terhan, they too, want to know who came to their aid.
“About that… I might have an idea who helped us,” Pope Alvan III suddenly said after the silence returned to the room. “And I think you already knew who I’m referring to,” he added.
An ugly expression appeared on the other popes’ faces. Indeed, Pope Alvan III is correct. They do have someone in mind. It’s just that they’re unwilling to accept the fact. And how could they? After all, once news surfaced that the four churches received help from that organization their remaining believer might just turn their backs on them!
Meanwhile…
“The attackers are most likely from the Sect of the Void,” said Sorceress Cassandra after putting down her cup. While the four popes are trying to figure out the true identity of the mysterious forces that attacked the rear of the three armies, the three alliances are also doing the same.
As someone who prevented severe damage to the forces of the Order of the Magus, it’s only expected that the commanders of the two alliances would want to seek audience with her.
“Sorceress, how sure are you with your conjecture?” One of the commanders from the United Kingdom Alliance, a male elf, asked.
“My apologies but I only have 80% certainty,” answered the sorceress truthfully. “The reason I thought it was them was because I found their auras very familiar. As most of you are probably aware, I have encountered several of their acolytes while lending help to the gnomes look for their prince,” added the sorceress while glancing at Russell who was awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
Everyone inside the room let out a knowing smile. All of them are aware that this prince of the gnomes almost died inside the Dark Sea after deciding to venture into the one of the world’s most dangerous and mysterious region. If not for the gnomes that didn’t give on him and asked the assistance of the famous sorceress, who knows if he’ll even return alive after losing his airship?
“Eighty percent, huh… That’s already quite high,” commented Prince Darryl of Forst loudly. “Too bad we don’t have any evidence. If we have then…”
“Indeed. If we have undeniable proof then we could turn the remaining believers against the churches. If that happened we no longer have to waste the lives of our soldiers, the four churches would collapse on itself due to the weight of its sins,” continued Prince Clyde of Almena.
“Aye, it’s a wasted opportunity indeed,” said a muscular-looking dwarf with braided beard. This dwarf is one of the kings of the dwarves, King Dwargo of Drucel. “If only we’ve captured at least one of them attackers then we’ll have the proof we need,” he added regretfully.
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“Everyone seemed to be troubled?”
A voice suddenly sounded inside the large conference room, greatly startling the four popes who are currently wearing very serious expressions on their faces.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!” Pope Arnold II was the first to react and stood vigilantly while looking around.
“Hehehe~ please… do calm down. I meant you all no harm,” the mysterious voice replied. A moment later a person wearing colorful outfit like that of jester appeared before the popes. The person that looked like a jester has a very pale face that was similar to a ghost. Just looking at him would give anyone the creeps.
“My name is Conrad. A pleasure to meet you all, gentlemen,”
The mysterious man that looked like a jester gave an exaggerated and theatrical bow and introduced himself as Conrad.
“Are you someone from the Void of the Sect?” Pope Alvan III asked with frown on his forehead.
Conrad gave an exaggerated smile after hearing the question of the pope of the church of Krant. “Aye, that I am. One of the Envoy of the Void, ‘The Jester’, at your service,” he introduced further.
“So you’re The Jester? Indeed we’ve heard of you,” Pope Alexander VI commented calmly after hearing the envoy’s introduction. “What do you need of us?” He asked.
Although Pope Alexander VI appeared calm, his nerve was actually very taut. He along with the other popes had heard a lot of things about the person in front of them but most of it was not good. Rumors have it that among the Envoys of the Void, The Jester was the most dangerous due to his insanity. It was said that the man was so dangerous that very few among his fellow envoys liked him. Even the leaders of their organization were very wary of using the unsteady man.
“Cooperation,” answered Conrad with that exaggerated smile still present on his pale face.
“Cooperate? With you lot? Don’t be absurd!”
The first one to speak out after hearing the word “cooperation” was the hot-blooded Pope Arnold II. They were just discussing on how dangerous it would be to be associated with the sect, and what their next course of action would be when the jester-like envoy appeared out of nowhere. So of course the pope of the church of Lueger would be agitated.
“Why would it be absurd?” The Jester asked in confusion while tilting his head to the side. If a cute girl did that gesture it would look cute and adorable but if done by a ghastly-looking man it only looks creepy.
“Of course it is! You people are the enemy of the world!” Pope Arnold II exclaimed in agitation.
“Hehehe~ Enemy of the world?” Conrad gave the four popes a strange look which irritated them. “Aren’t you all the same position as us now?”
“SHUT UP!!!” It’s because of you people that we’re in this kind of trouble in the first place!” Pope Arnold II screamed like he was about to explode in anger.
The Jester, Conrad rolled his eyes before appearing in front of the pope who could not help but take a step back after being suddenly approached by the envoy.
“Wrong. This happened because your gods are cowards who couldn’t stand up against our god and therefore, chooses to run away with tails behind their legs,” mocked Conrad in a voice that was almost a whisper.
“BASTARD!!!”
The pope swings his fist towards the envoy wanting to give him a good beating. Unfortunately, the envoy was too fast for him thus he could only punch air. But that’s not all. After missing the punch, Pope Arnold found himself with a sword on his neck. Even he, as hard-headed as he was knew that his head will go flying if he makes another move.
“Enough!” Pope Reynolds I shouted. “Is this how you treat your future allies?” He asked.
“Reynolds!”
“What on heaven’s name are you saying? Are you out of your mind?”
Pope Alexander VI and Pope Alvan III both exclaimed at the pope of the church of Terhan in disbelief. How could they not be shock? A pope of the four churches is actually considering joining hands with terrorist!
Pope Reynolds on the other hand simply shook his head after seeing the disbelieving look his colleague was giving him. He then opened his mouth and spoke. “No, I’m not insane. I’m simply following the will of my lord,” he reasoned
After saying so, the eyes of the two popes almost popped out as they look on in disbelief as Pope Reynolds I kneels at The Jester. No, that is incorrect. He was kneeling to the person behind The Jester!
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To be continued
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